By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – An artist from Massachusetts said the biological agents found in the home of U.B. art professor Steve Kurtz could be at any college level biology class.
One of the art exhibits created by Kurtz and confiscated by federal authorities was to be on display at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art.
On Tuesday, the U.S. government indicted Kurtz on mail and wire fraud, accusing him of illegally obtaining biological materials for his work.
But bio-terrorism charges were not included.
Associate Curator of the Massachusetts Museum, Nato Thompson, said he is pleased the grand jury indictment didn't include bio-terror charges, but believes Kurtz is not guilty of any criminal activity.
"This investigation began under as bio -terrorism, and has since become something completely different. I think, given the circumstances, that Kurtz's wife passed away, and he was put under questioning," said Thompson. "Why not just admit that you were wrong and move on. I think Steve should be allowed to grieve for his wife and the charges should be dropped."
Thompson said the Critical Art Ensemble exhibit Kurtz had prepared for the Massachusetts museum was a "harmless" display called "Free Range Grain," designed to test organic foods.
Thompson said the two bio-agents found in Kurtz's home were not part of the planned exhibit.
"We were not going to show those chemicals here. Those were part of a different project Steve was working on. We did not have a chance to check those items out at all."
Thompson said Kurtz purchased about $256.00 worth of bacteria that is generally used in college biology labs.
He said Kurtz was only working to "engage in civic productive human discourse." Thompson said that is a far cry from a criminal.